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EP0333410A2 - Screw-coupled connectors - Google Patents

Screw-coupled connectors Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0333410A2
EP0333410A2 EP89302453A EP89302453A EP0333410A2 EP 0333410 A2 EP0333410 A2 EP 0333410A2 EP 89302453 A EP89302453 A EP 89302453A EP 89302453 A EP89302453 A EP 89302453A EP 0333410 A2 EP0333410 A2 EP 0333410A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
nut
sleeve
plunger
ball
hole
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP89302453A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0333410A3 (en
Inventor
William Chambers Wilson Duncan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
AB Electronic Components Ltd
Original Assignee
AB Electronic Components Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by AB Electronic Components Ltd filed Critical AB Electronic Components Ltd
Publication of EP0333410A2 publication Critical patent/EP0333410A2/en
Publication of EP0333410A3 publication Critical patent/EP0333410A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/625Casing or ring with bayonet engagement
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T403/00Joints and connections
    • Y10T403/20Joints and connections with indicator or inspection means
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T403/00Joints and connections
    • Y10T403/70Interfitted members
    • Y10T403/7005Lugged member, rotary engagement
    • Y10T403/7007Bayonet joint

Definitions

  • This invention relates to screw-coupled connectors. It relates particularly to the kind of connector that might be used for applications such as tube connectors, electrical or fibre-optical connectors and where the two halves of a connector fitting are joined by a screw-threaded member.
  • the present invention was devised to provide a solution to this problem.
  • a screw-coupled connector comprising two coupling parts which are capable of being secured together by the rotation of an internally screw-threaded nut carried on one of the parts, in which the said one part includes a sleeve which is rotatable independently of the nut, the sleve carrying a plunger which is capable of being moved axially under spring pressure in order to enter a hole on the nut when the sleeve and nut are suitably aligned, the said plunger when in the hole serving to hold a ball against axial movement along an inclined plane located on a friction ring, the friction ring also serving as a surface against which the said other part of the coupling is to be located when the two parts are mated.
  • the inclined plane of the friction ring may have an upper ball support position where the ball has been moved axially to push the said plunger out of the hole on the nut, such that the sleeve is disengaged from driving the nut.
  • the inclined plane may have a drive face adjacent a lower ball support position whereby movement of the sleeve in a suitable direction will hold the ball against said face and prevent any axial movement of the ball.
  • the hole in the nut carries a chamfer on one side thereof, such that the plunger will tend to leave the hole more easily when the sleeve is rotated in one direction than otherwise.
  • the sleeve may carry a spring cap arranged to permit adjustment when necessary of the spring force applied to the plunger.
  • the screw-coupled connector comprises a first connector part 1 which is capable of being coupled to a second connector part 2 by means of an internally screw-threaded nut 3 carried on the second part 2.
  • the first connector part 1 may in fact be a suitable connector body part or alternatively a flanged shaft or tube which is required to be mated with the second part 2.
  • the second connector part 2 is provided with a body 4 which supports the nut 3 and also a sleeve 6.
  • a rear circlip 5 on the body secures the nut 3 and sleeve 6 in place but permits separate rotation of these parts about the body.
  • the nut 3 includes an internal screw thread portion 7 which is capable of engaging external threads on the first part 1 when the coupling action is being effected.
  • a plunger 8 which is movable by a spring 9 that is supported against a spring cap 11. Since the sleeve 6 can be rotated about the nut 3 when these parts are suitably aligned, the plunger 8 can be caused to enter a hole 12 in the nut. In this position, the plunger 8 can displace a spacer 13 which bears against a ball 14.
  • the ball 14 is thus spring loaded up against a friction ring 16 which is located between the nut 3 and the first connector part 1.
  • the friction ring 16 is provided with an inclined plane 17 ( Figure 3) and this plane has a drive face 18 at one end and an upper ball support position 19 at the other end.
  • the ball is thus capable of resting in either of two axially-displaced positions on the plane according to whether the ball is located at the drive face 18 or the support position 19.
  • the sleeve 6 In operation of the connector, when it is required to couple the second connector part 2 to the first part 1, the sleeve 6 is rotated clockwise so that the internal thread portion 7 on the nut 3 will engage the threads on the first part 1. Further rotation of the sleeve 6 tightens the connection and the flange on the first part 1 eventually presses the friction ring 16 against the surface of the nut 3. When enough pressure has been applied to the friction ring 16 this is eventually stopped from further rotation whilst the nut 3 is still able to be moved a short radial distance with respect to the ring 16.
  • the sleeve 6 is rotated in an anticlockwise direction. This causes the plunger 8 to pass across the end of the hole 12 and strike against the wall of the hole at a side opposite to that which carries the chamfer 21. This action permits a small amount of torque to be applied to the nut 3 and the ball 14 is moved from the upper ball support position 19 down the inclined plane 17 to the drive face 18. The resulting axial movement permitted to the ball allows the plunger 8 to enter the hole 12 and the full torque can then be applied to the nut 3. Rotation of the nut 3 by the sleeve 6 allows the screw-thread portion 7 to release the threads on the first part 1 so the two parts can be separated.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Transmission Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A screw-coupled connector comprises two coupling parts which are capable of being secured together by the rotation of an internally screw-threaded nut (3) carried on one of the parts, in which the said part includes a sleeve (6) which is rotatable independently of the nut, the sleeve (6) carrying a plunger (8) which is capable of being moved axially under spring pressure in order to enter a hole (12) on the nut when the sleeve and nut are suitably aligned, the said plunger when in the hole serving to drive the nut (3) and also press a ball (14) against an inclined plane (17) on a friction ring (16). When the parts of the coupling are fully secured together, the nut (3) will be moved through a small radial distance with respect to the friction ring (16), this will displace the ball (14), move the plunger (8) from the hole (12) and disengage the drive from the sleeve (6) to the nut (3).
The sudden free rotation of the sleeve (6) that appears upon tightening the coupling is a clear indication that full engatement of the parts has been effected.

Description

  • This invention relates to screw-coupled connectors. It relates particularly to the kind of connector that might be used for applications such as tube connectors, electrical or fibre-optical connectors and where the two halves of a connector fitting are joined by a screw-threaded member.
  • When the two parts of a screw-coupled connector are to be joined together, it is necessary that they should be fully engaged together and correctly mated. Under conditions of restricted space or where there are high ambient noise levels, it may be difficult in practice to check that a full engagement has in fact taken place. It would be convenient if the connector could include an indicator that would be able to show when the full engagement state had been reached.
  • The present invention was devised to provide a solution to this problem.
  • According to the invention, there is provided a screw-coupled connector comprising two coupling parts which are capable of being secured together by the rotation of an internally screw-threaded nut carried on one of the parts, in which the said one part includes a sleeve which is rotatable independently of the nut, the sleve carrying a plunger which is capable of being moved axially under spring pressure in order to enter a hole on the nut when the sleeve and nut are suitably aligned, the said plunger when in the hole serving to hold a ball against axial movement along an inclined plane located on a friction ring, the friction ring also serving as a surface against which the said other part of the coupling is to be located when the two parts are mated.
  • The inclined plane of the friction ring may have an upper ball support position where the ball has been moved axially to push the said plunger out of the hole on the nut, such that the sleeve is disengaged from driving the nut. The inclined plane may have a drive face adjacent a lower ball support position whereby movement of the sleeve in a suitable direction will hold the ball against said face and prevent any axial movement of the ball.
  • Preferably, the hole in the nut carries a chamfer on one side thereof, such that the plunger will tend to leave the hole more easily when the sleeve is rotated in one direction than otherwise. The sleeve may carry a spring cap arranged to permit adjustment when necessary of the spring force applied to the plunger.
  • By way of example, a particular embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
    • Figure 1 shows in part an axial cross-sectional view of the screw-coupled connector,
    • Figure 2 is a detail of the nut showing the hole with chamfer on the nut, and,
    • Figure 3 shows part of the friction ring and the profile of the inclined plane.
  • As shown in the drawing, the screw-coupled connector comprises a first connector part 1 which is capable of being coupled to a second connector part 2 by means of an internally screw-threaded nut 3 carried on the second part 2.
  • The first connector part 1 may in fact be a suitable connector body part or alternatively a flanged shaft or tube which is required to be mated with the second part 2.
  • The second connector part 2 is provided with a body 4 which supports the nut 3 and also a sleeve 6. A rear circlip 5 on the body secures the nut 3 and sleeve 6 in place but permits separate rotation of these parts about the body.
  • The nut 3 includes an internal screw thread portion 7 which is capable of engaging external threads on the first part 1 when the coupling action is being effected.
  • Mounted for axial movement on the sleeve 6, is a plunger 8 which is movable by a spring 9 that is supported against a spring cap 11. Since the sleeve 6 can be rotated about the nut 3 when these parts are suitably aligned, the plunger 8 can be caused to enter a hole 12 in the nut. In this position, the plunger 8 can displace a spacer 13 which bears against a ball 14.
  • The ball 14 is thus spring loaded up against a friction ring 16 which is located between the nut 3 and the first connector part 1. The friction ring 16 is provided with an inclined plane 17 (Figure 3) and this plane has a drive face 18 at one end and an upper ball support position 19 at the other end. The ball is thus capable of resting in either of two axially-displaced positions on the plane according to whether the ball is located at the drive face 18 or the support position 19.
  • In operation of the connector, when it is required to couple the second connector part 2 to the first part 1, the sleeve 6 is rotated clockwise so that the internal thread portion 7 on the nut 3 will engage the threads on the first part 1. Further rotation of the sleeve 6 tightens the connection and the flange on the first part 1 eventually presses the friction ring 16 against the surface of the nut 3. When enough pressure has been applied to the friction ring 16 this is eventually stopped from further rotation whilst the nut 3 is still able to be moved a short radial distance with respect to the ring 16.
  • This further movement of the nut 3 causes the ball 14 to be carried up the inclined plane 17 and the ball comes to rest in the upper ball support position 19. The axial movement which the ball 14 experiences in being moved up the plane causes the ball to push the spacer 13 and the plunger 8 to the right as shown in Figure 1. Eventually the plunger 8, is pushed out of the hole 12 (via a chamfer 21 located at one side of the hole) on the nut and there is then no remaining connection permitting a drive to take place between the sleeve 6 and the nut 3. Consequently, the sleeve 6 becomes freely rotatable and any further movement of the sleeve 6 in a clockwise direction will have no driving action on the nut 3.
  • The sudden change to a freely rotatable action of the sleeve which becomes apparent upon fastening the connector is a clear indication that the parts of the connector have been fully engaged and correctly mated.
  • Further rotation of the sleeve 6 in a clockwise direction has no additional effect on the connector.
  • In order to separate the two parts of the connector, the sleeve 6 is rotated in an anticlockwise direction. This causes the plunger 8 to pass across the end of the hole 12 and strike against the wall of the hole at a side opposite to that which carries the chamfer 21. This action permits a small amount of torque to be applied to the nut 3 and the ball 14 is moved from the upper ball support position 19 down the inclined plane 17 to the drive face 18. The resulting axial movement permitted to the ball allows the plunger 8 to enter the hole 12 and the full torque can then be applied to the nut 3. Rotation of the nut 3 by the sleeve 6 allows the screw-thread portion 7 to release the threads on the first part 1 so the two parts can be separated.
  • The foregoing description of an embodiment of the invention has been given by way of example only and a number of modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For instance, it is not essential that the sleeve 6 should use only a single plunger to apply the driving force to the nut 3, in a different embodiment an alternative number of plungers such as two or three could be used.

Claims (6)

1. A screw-coupled connector comprising two coupling parts which are capable of being secured together by the rotation of an internally screw-threaded nut carried on one of the parts, in which the said one part includes a sleeve which is rotatable independently of the nut, the sleeve carrying a plunger which is capable of being moved axially under spring pressure in order to enter a hole on the nut when the sleeve and nut are suitably aligned, the said plunger when in the hole serving to hold a ball against axial movement along an inclined plane located on a friction ring, the friction ring also serving as a surface against which the said other part of the coupling is to be located when the two parts are mated.
2. A connector as claimed in Claim 1, in which the said plane of the friction ring has an upper ball inclined support position where the ball has been moved axially to push the said plunger out of the hole on the nut, such that the sleeve is disengaged from driving the nut.
3. A connector as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which the said inclined plane has a drive face adjacent a lower ball support position whereby movement of the sleeve in a suitable direction will hold the ball against said face and prevent any axial movement of the ball.
4. A connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the said hole in the nut carries a chamfer on one side thereof, such that the plunger will tend to leave the hole more easily when the sleeve is rotated in one direction than otherwise.
5. A connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the said sleeve carries a spring cap arranged to permit adjustment of the spring force applied to the plunger.
6. A connector substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawing.
EP89302453A 1988-03-12 1989-03-13 Screw-coupled connectors Withdrawn EP0333410A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8805912A GB2217927B (en) 1988-03-12 1988-03-12 Bayonet coupling connector
GB8805912 1988-03-12

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0333410A2 true EP0333410A2 (en) 1989-09-20
EP0333410A3 EP0333410A3 (en) 1990-12-12

Family

ID=10633321

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89302453A Withdrawn EP0333410A3 (en) 1988-03-12 1989-03-13 Screw-coupled connectors

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US4917525A (en)
EP (1) EP0333410A3 (en)
GB (1) GB2217927B (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1574413A1 (en) * 2004-03-12 2005-09-14 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Bar assembly, in particular testing assembly for switch tongues

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JPH0810279Y2 (en) * 1989-08-10 1996-03-29 ダイワ精工株式会社 Double-bearing reel for fishing
US5217390A (en) * 1990-04-16 1993-06-08 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
FR2664338B1 (en) * 1990-07-04 1992-10-23 Aerospatiale DEVICE FOR CONNECTING BETWEEN TWO OBJECTS BY SEVERAL ATTACHMENT POINTS.
US5312166A (en) * 1992-08-10 1994-05-17 Shimano Inc. Quick release mechanism having a tightening force indicator
IES59552B2 (en) * 1993-07-30 1994-03-09 Ardnaboha Trading Ltd A cable connector assembly
US5411350A (en) * 1993-11-03 1995-05-02 Loctite Corporation Quick connect/disconnect device, and dispensing apparatus comprising same
US5498054A (en) * 1995-02-23 1996-03-12 Tomlinson; Richard S. Adjustable knock down chair
US5706541A (en) * 1996-04-29 1998-01-13 Black & Decker Inc. Watertight friction fit battery cap with cam removal
US5718014A (en) * 1996-04-29 1998-02-17 Black & Decker Inc. Hand held motorized tool with over-molded cover
US5956792A (en) * 1996-04-29 1999-09-28 Black & Decker, Inc. Hand held motorized cleaning apparatus with linear, orbital and/or dual motion
US5978999A (en) * 1996-04-29 1999-11-09 Black & Decker Inc. Motorized scrub brush with multiple hand holding positions
US5697115A (en) * 1996-04-29 1997-12-16 Black & Decker Inc. Cleaning apparatus with triangular shaped mount for attachment and quick disconnect
US5932828A (en) * 1996-12-02 1999-08-03 Hornady Manufacturing Company Reloader with snap-in tools and quick release shell or shot shell holders
US5876238A (en) * 1997-06-17 1999-03-02 International Business Machines Corporation Device and method for securing integrity of a blind autodock electrical connection
US6019256A (en) * 1998-07-31 2000-02-01 Melinda Carucci Condiment pump
US6336822B1 (en) * 1999-01-26 2002-01-08 Veam S.R.L. Handle operated power connector
US6343720B1 (en) 2000-09-22 2002-02-05 Carlisle Foodservice Products, Incorporated Condiment pump
US6595681B2 (en) * 2000-10-23 2003-07-22 Milliken & Co. Quick change liquid metering device
US6450545B1 (en) 2001-02-21 2002-09-17 Parker Hennifin Corporation Fluid coupling plug
US6536644B2 (en) * 2001-03-14 2003-03-25 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Tool-less feedroll for wire feeder
DE10329007A1 (en) * 2003-06-27 2005-01-13 Gustav Klauke Gmbh Locking bolt for attaching a tool to a hydraulic pressing device
WO2006012598A1 (en) * 2004-07-21 2006-02-02 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Adaptor and method for converting standard tube fitting/port to push-to-connect tube fitting/port
US8240719B2 (en) * 2004-07-21 2012-08-14 Parker-Hannifin Corporation Adaptor and method for converting standard tube fitting/port to push-to-connect tube fitting/port
US7447026B2 (en) * 2006-08-31 2008-11-04 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. System for hot swapping heat exchangers
CN103080557B (en) * 2011-02-10 2015-11-25 三菱重工业株式会社 Pump structure
KR102076117B1 (en) * 2012-05-04 2020-02-11 보르그워너 인코퍼레이티드 Bayonet spacer retention system for variable turbine geometry vane packs
US10026630B2 (en) * 2014-05-27 2018-07-17 Applied Materials, Inc. Retention and insulation features for lamp
SG11201809068VA (en) * 2016-04-18 2018-11-29 Kuriki Manufacture Co Ltd Locking structure for cover covering handle seat
EP3291380B1 (en) * 2016-08-30 2021-09-22 Polamco Limited Connector assembly with a latching arrangement
US11824304B2 (en) 2022-01-05 2023-11-21 System One Innovations Inc. Electrical connector

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US2450527A (en) * 1945-10-27 1948-10-05 P & V Quicklocking Co Semiautomatic coupling
US3287031A (en) * 1964-09-21 1966-11-22 William H Simmons Indexed keyed connection
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Title
No search, Declaration under Rule 45 EPC *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1574413A1 (en) * 2004-03-12 2005-09-14 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Bar assembly, in particular testing assembly for switch tongues

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0333410A3 (en) 1990-12-12
GB2217927A (en) 1989-11-01
US4917525A (en) 1990-04-17
GB2217927B (en) 1992-04-01
GB8805912D0 (en) 1988-04-13

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